Onomatopoeia disagreement

[molly in cr]

Sniffle
Clap (like clap of thunder)
growl

Would you consider these onomatopoeia? The kids and I are not always in agreement on the less obvious words. :)

TIA

[Alana]

Yes they are words describing a sound.

[molly in cr]

I think where the disagreement comes in is that they don't *hear* the sound when the word is read. I can hear it, but then I am the one reading it out loud, so I can lean it more my way ;) ...these are just less obvious than meow and bow wow. KWIM?

[Kendall in GA]

Sniffle
Clap (like clap of thunder)
growl

Would you consider these onomatopoeia? The kids and I are not always in agreement on the less obvious words. :)

TIA

Here are my $.02 (for whatever they're worth ;)):

Sniffle :no:...I'd say :yes: to sniff

Clap :yes:

Growl :no:...I'd say :yes: to Grrr!

[Denise, Guam]

I have wondered if it has to be a (complete) word in the dictionary to be onomatopoeia? I know the one you listed are.. but grrr for instance I was thinking isn't because it isn't a word just a sound.

[Sheri]

Sniffle...NO, Clap...YES, Growl...depends. LOL

I'd say "growl" depends on how you read it. "Grrrroooowwwwwllll!!!" is, "Growl" is not. LOL

[Kendall in GA]

I know the one you listed are.. but grrr for instance I was thinking isn't because it isn't a word just a sound.

What?!...You mean to tell me that your dictionary doesn't have "grrr". :lol:

[Denise, Guam]

What?!...You mean to tell me that your dictionary doesn't have "grrr". :lol:

Oh, yes, unfortunately MINE does :mad: -- it is just Webster's that doesn't! :lol:

[Sharon C]

you girls are thinkers!! oh my goodness! When I read the first post I thought, yes, of course they are...........but now I'm not so sure!!! I would love to find the real answer to this.